OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Airman Edel Brooks (left), a boom operator, and Col. Cathy Clothier watch a receiver aircraft take on fuel from their KC-135 Stratotanker during a recent sortie from a forward-operating base. Both Brooks and Clothier, deployed from the 319th Air Refueling Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., are assigned to the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing supporting operations for the war on terrorism. (U.S Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- While most people were waking up and
drinking their first cups of coffee, the first of several KC-135
Stratotanker aircrews from the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing launched combat
support missions from their deployed location March 19.

"It was definitely a team effort all the way around today," said Col. Cathy
Clothier, an aircraft commander and commander for the tanker operations
here.

From the initial aircrew intelligence briefing to the actual air refueling
operation, Clothier said the mood of everyone involved was focused.

"(On March 18) I briefed all of our aircrew about the upcoming operations
and told them what we are about to do in the next few days will change
history. Not a single bomb gets dropped, not a single air-to-air engagement
happens or missile is fired unless tankers make it happen," said Clothier.
"I'm proud of our people here and I'm excited to be a part of this."

Capt. Brian Mackey and 1st Lt. Ryan Budinko flew with Clothier. Both said
the mission was one of the most exciting they have flown.

"I have deployed several times, and flown in both operations Northern and
Southern Watch," Mackey said. "But the atmosphere was different on this
mission ... because of our aircrew and the range of experience from Clothier
all the way down to Airman (Edel) Brooks, who flew on her first combat
support mission."

Brooks, a 20-year-old boom operator, has been in the Air Force for more than
a year. On this mission, she was responsible for transferring 60,000 pounds
of fuel to four heavily armed coalition aircraft.

"It was great," said Brooks. "I always get excited about flying, and today
was really amazing. The day I stop getting excited about what I'm doing is
the day I need to think about doing something else."

Not only aircrew members take pride in flying combat missions. On March 18,
production supervisors got together to decide which aircraft was the most
reliable to fly the first sortie, and which crew chief deserved the
recognition of having his jet take off first.

The KC-135 chosen for first-mission honors is the charge of Staff Sgt. Ben
Bugza. When told that his aircraft would fly the first combat mission,
Bugza had only one word to describe it: "Wow! "I was really stoked about
the decision," he said.

"It's nice to see that people notice what we do, and it feels rewarding
beyond any letters or papers that we might receive. Staff Sergeant Tony
Contreras, Airman First Class Sean Browne and I all work on the aircraft and
it was an honor for all of us," said Buzga.

"It was a unanimous decision," said Senior Master Sgt. Jesse Paul, a senior
maintenance supervisor for the KC-135 fleet. "(Bugza's aircraft) has one of
the best performance records and (he) has really worked hard and shown a
real interest in what he's doing. We can't give them pay raises but we can
give them honors."

The task of the tanker crews in the days ahead is familiar. "Our mission
doesn't change in peacetime or wartime," said Mackey. "We do this every
time we fly. Although there might be more coordination during combat
missions, we train like we fight and we're ready for anything that comes our
way."